Combined editing system and digital moving picture recording system

ABSTRACT

A moving picture recording device includes a random-access, computer-readable and writable storage medium to provide non-linear access to recorded clips. The device provides digital capture of both video and audio information. Multiple data paths are provided to allow recording to and playback from the storage medium. Lists are maintained to manage recorded clips and edited events. An outtake list of deleted clips is also maintained. An event list includes a list of video events including clips from the storage medium as well as other video sources including a camera or external video. With switching circuitry, recorded clips can be viewed during editing while live images are output to a program output. An editing interface includes dedicated keys for performing standard recording functions as well as a display with associated input keys having adaptive functions. The textual display indicates the function currently associated with the input key. This display provides a simple interface for editing video without a mouse or other external input device or complex graphical user interface. The interface also may allow a user to input a value, stored as an attribute of a clip, that represents the merit of the clip. These attributes may be used to rank and/or select clips.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuing application of: U.S. Appl. Ser.No.08/606,050, filed Feb. 23, 1996, pending, which is a continuingapplication of U.S. Appl. Ser. No. 08/418,948, filed Apr. 7, 1995,pending, which is a continuing application of U.S. Appl. Ser. No.08/392,536, filed Feb. 23, 1995, abandoned; and U.S. Appl. Ser. No.08/418,948, filed Apr. 7, 1995, pending; and U.S. Appl. Ser. No.08/702,152, filed Aug. 23, 1996, pending, which is a file-wrappercontinuation application of U.S. Appl. Ser. No. 08/392,536, filed Feb.23, 1995, abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to moving picture recording and editingdevices and processes. More particularly, the invention relates to adevice for non-linear recording and editing of digital moving pictures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Present day video recorders are typically a combination of avideo camera with a video tape recorder which are constructed so as tobe portable. They are often called camcorders or video tape recorders(VTR). For the purposes of this application, they are referred to asvideo tape recorders. Present day portable video tape recorders use avideo tape, usually contained within a cassette, as the recordingmedium. Recording is done in numerous formats, including analog BETA andVHS format, and the digital D1 format. A major disadvantage of videotape recorders is that video tape allows only linear access to a givenpoint on the video tape. That is, if the tape has just finishedrecording, in order to access the beginning of a recorded sessionlocated at the beginning of the tape, the tape is rewound.

[0004] The problem of linear access to video tape recordings is mostobvious in the field of broadcast television news. Typically, areporting crew goes to a news location with a video tape recorder torecord an event. Upon completion of recording, the tape must be rewoundand then played back and transmitted, for example via satellite ormicrowave link, to a base station in a studio facility. At the basestation, the information then can be edited into a final news program.

[0005] Editing of moving pictures is commonly done digitally, using anon-linear computer-based editing system such as the Avid/1 MediaComposer or NewsCutter available from Avid Teclnology, Inc. ofTewksbury, Mass. Such a system typically digitizes, or converts analogvideo signals into a digital, computer-readable format. Even if thevideo signal is from a digital video tape, linear access to informationon the tape still presents the same problems. Tape recording,transmission and digitization are usually performed unless there is anactual live connection from the camera to the base station. Because ofthe delays in rewinding, playback and transmission of recordedinformation from a video tape, there is typically a half hour delaybetween the completion of recording of an event and the time an editedversion of the recorded event actually can be broadcast by the basestation. This delay is a significant competitive problem in broadcastnews where the time to air is very important as stations strive toproduce “up to the minute” news coverage and broadcast.

[0006] Today, electronic still cameras exist which record a still imageon magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk. Such a camera is described inU.S. Pat. No. 5,084,775, issued Jan. 28, 1991, and assigned to SonyCorporation. However, the camera described in that patent records stillimages only, not full motion video images. In addition, computer videocapture systems exist, such as the NuVista video capture card availablefrom RasterOps/Truevision, Inc. Such systems, however, have not beenreduced to the portable form of the present invention to perform livedigital capture directly from a camera.

[0007] Additionally, it has been recently suggested by those skilled inthe field of moving picture recording that numerous problems with anon-linear digital moving picture recorder are insurmountable. Inparticular, it has been suggested that there is a large image qualitytrade-off with increased recording time capability. Additionally, it hasbeen suggested that, using disk-based media, a little shake of thecamera would cause a disk crash. Finally, it has been suggested that thedisk media is substantially costlier than tape.

[0008] Additionally, while still picture editing is available in somedigital still video cameras, such as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,301,026, such systems are significantly simpler than full motion videoediting system, and thus, such a still camera does not have thecapability of recording and/or editing moving pictures.

[0009] Additionally, it is known that in many television stations thereare a variety of switching capabilities to allow multiple sources ofinformation to be fed to a single output channel. These sources aregenerally locked to and synchronized with the output channel frequency.Switching is performed between vertical time intervals, i.e., betweenframes, using a vertical time interval switch (VTIS). However, in acamera, there are typically only two sources of output, either liveimages or playback from tape, which are designed to be preselected by auser during playback but do not incorporate VTIS.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention combines editing capability, typicallyfound only in a production studio, along with switching capabilities,typically found only in a television station, in a portable movingpicture recorder that records on computer-readable and writable randomaccess recording media, such as a magnetic or optical disk. With such acombination, editing can be performed in the field at the same time asrecording, providing an interaction between videography and editing invideo production.

[0011] By providing a portable video recorder which records directlyonto digital computer readable and writable random access (i.e.,non-linear) medium, there is no longer a significant delay due torewinding of the tape or for digitization of video tape for editingpurposes. By further combining the advantages of non-linear recordingand non-linear editing with non-linear broadcasting system and switchingcontrol, the time from videography to broadcast of an edited news eventis drastically reduced. This reduction of the time from videography tobroadcast provides a significant competitive advantage for broadcastnews stations.

[0012] Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is a digitalmoving picture recording and editing device in a portable housing. Thisdevice receives a motion video signal and converts the motion videosignal to digital moving picture information. The digital moving pictureinformation is then stored. The storage may be a computer-readablerandom-access medium. The digital moving picture information may beretrieved from the storage and displayed. An editing system allows forediting the stored digital video information.

[0013] Another aspect of the invention is a digital moving picturerecording device. This device receives a motion video signal andconverts the motion video signal to digital moving picture information.The digital moving picture information is then stored. The storage maybe a computer-readable random access medium. The device includes aselector, selectable by a user, for causing fixed amount of videoinformation to be stored in a loop for an indefinite period of time. Theselector, or another similar selector, selectable by a user, allows forstopping recording of the loop and for continuing recording of videoinformation. The recorded loop is appended to the beginning of thesubsequently recorded video information. This aspect of the inventionmay be provided in combination with other aspects and embodiments of theinvention.

[0014] In embodiments of the foregoing aspects of the invention, a videocamera in the housing provides as an output the motion video signal.

[0015] The invention also applies to recording and/or editing of audioinformation. In one embodiment of the invention, video and/or audio datais processed as a stream of digital information the storage medium andvarious inputs and outputs. This processing uses a form of demand-basedflow control to move data between a pixel bus and the storage medium.

[0016] In further embodiments of the invention, a user interface isprovided which includes a display and associated input buttons. Theediting system is responsive to operations of the input buttons toperform functions having corresponding displayed indications on thedisplay.

[0017] In further embodiments of the invention, the editing systemmaintains an event list of events of an edited sequence. The event listmay include events related to recorded clips and events related to othersources of video information. These other sources of video informationinclude a video signal received from a camera.

[0018] In further embodiments of the invention, the editing systemmaintains a clip list of recorded clips stored on the means for storing.An outtake list may also be provided along with a means enabling anindividual to move indications of clips recorded on the means forstoring to the outtake list. The editing system may also maintainattribute information in the clip list allowing ranking of recordedclips. Clips having a given ranking may thus be selected and indicationsof these clips may be displayed.

[0019] In further embodiments of the invention, the editing systemincludes a graphical user interface that labels frames of a recorded andedited clip using symbols indicative of the status of each frame in anedited event. Alternatively, or in addition, the user interface mayinclude a first user interface for allowing selection of recordingoperations to be performed and a second user interface for allowingselection of editing operations to be performed.

[0020] It should be understood that the invention relates to both theapparatus and devices described herein as well as the processesperformed thereby.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In the drawings,

[0022]FIG. 1 is a left side view of a digital motion picture recorderaffixed to a video camera in accordance with the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 2 is a right side view of the digital motion picture recorderof FIG. 1;

[0024]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the electronic circuitry whichprocesses the camera and audio signals into media files for storage on acomputer readable and writable random access storage medium;

[0025]FIG. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of the block diagram ofFIG. 3, illustrating switching paths;

[0026]FIG. 5 is a more detailed block diagram of the circuit illustratedin FIG. 4;

[0027]FIG. 6 illustrates audio signal paths;

[0028]FIG. 7 illustrates synchronization circuitry for the audio andvideo paths;

[0029]FIG. 8 is a diagram of a user interface on the side of the camerasuch as shown in FIG. 1;

[0030]FIG. 9 is the user interface of FIG. 8 showing covers over buttonsin that display interface;

[0031] FIGS. 10-32 are displays for display within the display area onFIG. 8 with indications of the function keys associated therewith,indicating the possible functions available in different modes ofoperation of the recording device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention will be more completely understood tlroughthe following detailed description which should be read in conjunctionwith the attached drawing in which similar reference numbers indicatesimilar structures.

[0033] A general description of the moving picture recording device isfirst provided in connection with FIGS. 1-7, including switchingcapabilities described in more detail in connection with FIGS. 4-7.Editing operations and user interface details are described inconnection with FIGS. 8-32.

[0034]FIG. 1 shows a video camera/recorder 20 which includes acombination of a video camera 22 and a video recorder 24. The camera maybe one of many types of video cameras, and may be, for example, eitherthe HL-57 camera made by Ikegami Corporation of Japan, or the “400”camera made by the Sony Corporation of Japan. The video camera/recorder20 also typically has a handle 26 and shoulder support 28. On the videorecorder 24 of the device, typically a display 30 is used to provide theuser status and other pertinent information to be detailed below. Thecamera, electronic circuitry (such as described below in connection withFIGS. 3-4) and recording medium may be in one piece, such that thecamera 22 and recorder 24 are integrated, or may be in two pieces suchthat the camera 22 and recorder 24 are separable from each other. Manytape-based recorders used for news reporting are in such a two-partform, and often take the shape as shown in Japanese utility model63-9907, also referred to as 56-134889, or Japanese patent 61-187165.

[0035] The output of the video camera is generally an analog videosignal. Presently known cameras available from Ikegami have a 79-linebus for the purposes of communicating with a recorder, whereas Sonycameras use a 52-line bus. The recorder provides physical and electricalconnections to interface with a standard bus such as the Ikegami, Sonyor other bus, so that the motion picture recorder receives the output ofthe camera as if the recorder were a videocassette recorder. The motionpicture recorder also includes, using techniques well known to thoseskilled in the art, electrical contacts and connections (not shown) toturn the camera on and off, initiate recording, etc.

[0036]FIG. 2 shows the opposite side view of the camera shown in FIG. 1.On this side of the camera is found the recording media compartment 42which is accessed via a door 43. External connections, such as 48 and49, provide external video output, ETHERNET or other kinds ofconnections. The door 43 has a hinged section 44 and a handle 45 so thatthe door may be opened. The compartment 42 is an opening within therecorder and includes a connector (not shown) at the bottom of thecompartment. Which receives a recording media package which connects toconnector to provide electronic connection to the remainder of thecircuitry of the recorder. The media package and connection to therecorder are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Application SerialNo. 08/392,536, filed Feb. 23, 1995 and a U.S. Pat. Application SerialNo. 08/418,631 filed Apr. 7, 1995 which are hereby incorporated byreference.

[0037] Having now described a general mechanical structure of anembodiment of the moving picture recorder, the electronic circuitry forprocessing the moving pictures will now be described. The output of thevideo camera 22, which is generally an analog signal, is provided to thedigitizing electronic circuitry such as shown in FIGS. 3-9. Referring toFIG. 3, such circuitry generally includes a digitizer 35, compressioncircuitry 37, and a computer-readable and writable random-accessrecording medium 39, such as a disk drive, as described above. While thedigitizer 35 is used for those video cameras which produce an analogoutput signal, the digitizer would be unnecessary if the output of thevideo camera were to be digital. In some prior art systems, the imagecaptured by the camera 31 of FIG. 1 is impressed upon a charge coupleddevice (CCD), well known to those skilled in the art. The CCD producesan electrical signal, which is then processed (either digitally or withanalog circuitry) to create an analog video signal so that those signalsmay be passed to a conventional analog video cassette recorder. Adigital video signal or a digital video information stream may be inputdirectly to the compression circuitry 37 of FIG. 3, eliminating thedigital-to-analog and analog-to-digital conversions associated withprior art devices from the circuitry within the camera 31.

[0038] However, to interface a recorder with presently existing analogoutput video cameras, the digitizer 35 is used. The digitizer maycomprise a number of analog to digital (A/D) converters. Theseconverters, well known to those skilled in the art, may accept theoutput of the analog video camera, and may comprise on A/D converter foreach component Y, Cr and Cb signal from the video camera. Analogcomposite video may also be decoded into digital video data. Digitalvideo may also be processed and synchronization signals may be removedto provide digital video information. A 4:2:2 format is typically used,but 4:1:1 and 4:4:4 formats may also be used. Other color formats may beused such as CMYK, HSI and RGB in 8, 16 or 32 bits formats. However, theY, Cr, Cb format is preferable for use with the well known JointPhotographer's Expert Group (JPEG) compression standard, which may beused in this moving picture recorder. Other compression standards, wellknown in the art, such as MPEG, may also be suitable for use in thepresent invention. The video may also remain uncompressed. However, JPEGcompression is useful for editing because it does not rely ondifferences between adjacent frames or fields, but instead each frame orfields is self-contained. Digitizing and compression/decompressioncircuitry is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,355,450, 5,045,940 andpublished Pat. Cooperation Treaty (PCT) applications WO93/12481 andWO93/12613.

[0039] Audio signals are also processed and recorded. The audio signalis digitized from a microphone. Digitization is unnecessary if a digitalaudio source is used. Audio is generally not compressed.

[0040] One difference between the systems described in the above patentsand published applications and one embodiment of the present inventionis that this embodiment of the present invention does not require aframe grabber or frame buffer. The frame buffer is eliminated to reducepower consumption, which is desirable with a portable, battery-poweredsystem. Its removal is possible by using a high throughput compressioncircuit such as the ZR36050 and ZR36015 JPEG compression circuits,available from Zoran of Santa Clara, Calif. These circuits provide full60 field per second uncompressed data rates for 720×480 digital stillimages, which provides CCIR601 compliant broadcast quality images. Dueto the high throughput compression circuit, the compression circuitry ofthis embodiment does not require any stalling or metering mechanism fordelaying processing of data through this pipeline. Other circuits areavailable for JPEG compression, such as from LSI Logic.

[0041] In order to maintain correct color of the captured images fromthe video camera, the signals from the camera may be calibrated to matchwell known and established SMPTE digital video color standards. In theabsence of such calibration, the compression circuitry of one embodimentof the invention, based on the well known and established JPEGcompression standard, may create errors because JPEG compression relieson frequencies derived from the colors present in the signal.Calibration is done automatically in response to actuation of acalibration selection switch 33 on the video recorder of FIG. 1. Suchcalibration typically is performed both periodically during use andwhenever a camera is associated with new calibration and digitizingcircuitry.

[0042] Calibration is performed by causing the camera to generate areference signal. A commonly-used reference signal is known as “colorbars” or “test patterns.” The test pattern for any given camera is in apredetermined format and is typically generated by the camera circuitryin a known manner. Using this format, the overall signal level of thecolor bar signal is determined by the recorder, and thus the valuesoutput by the camera and, by inference, the CCD device are determined.These values are then mapped to the SMPTE standard for digital colorrepresentations, of which an indication is stored in the recorder. Moreprecisely, the A/D converters in the digitization process, describedbelow, are adjusted so that the analog level output in the referencesignal are translated to the corresponding SMPTE digital value. Bycreating this mapping in a deterministic way, the camera is thus forcedinto providing a SMPTE compliant digital video information. It istherefore no longer necessary to record a clip of color bars as iscommon with video tape. It may, nonetheless, be preferable to store asingle frame of color bars digitally in connection with each recordedclip of compressed video.

[0043] These components shown in FIG. 3 as well as overall camera andrecorder control operate under the control of a central processing unit(CPU) 36, such as the MC68341, available from Motorola, Inc., which runsunder control of a real-time operating system such as the VXWorksoperating system available from Wind River Systems of Alameda, Calif.

[0044] Management of media files and the disk controller may beperformed by any number of known teclniques, including that disclosed inU.S. Pat. No. 5,267,351, assigned to Avid Technology and as disclosed inpublished PCT application WO 93/21636. Data files are in theDOS-compliant file format, such as is available in the Real Time FileSystem (RTFS) from etc bin systems of Groton, Mass. The RTFS file systemis DOS compatible/re-entrant. This file system can be supplemented by amedia file format known as the Open Media Framework (OMF), defined inthe OMF Interchange Specifications available from Avid Technology andavailable in the OMF Interchange Toolkit, also available from AvidTechnology. Management of lists of clips is described in more detailbelow in connection with the editing aspects of this system.

[0045]FIG. 4 shows the circuitry of FIG. 3 in more detail. Inparticular, the circuit includes a genlock decoder 60 which receives acomposite video signal either from an external video source on a firstinput 62 or from a camera video source through input 64 and outputs adigital composite video signal at 66. The external and camera compositevideo signals are also input to an analog-to-digital converter 68 togenerate at an output 70 a digital composite video signal. Additionally,a component video signal, such as one comprised of luminance andchrominance components, is also received from a camera as an input asindicated at 72. The components are applied to analog-to-digitalconverters for each of the respective components as indicated in 74, 76and 78. The output of these decoders, respectively, 74 a , 76 a and 78 aprovide a digital YUV digital component video information. A decoder 80receives digital output from the composite video analog-to-digitalconverter 68 and generates a stream of digital video information, alsoin component form, typically YUV. The outputs of decoders 80 andcomponent analog-to-digital converters 74-78 (via YUV bus logic 82) areboth applied to what is herein called a pixel bus 84. The pixel bus 84is used to transfer the YUV digital component information in thissystem. The composite video 66 and the YUV component information onpixel bus 84 are both applied to encoders 86 and 88 which provide outputvideo signals. In particular, encoder 86 provides what is called aprogram out composite video signal, which is a broadcast quality CCIR601 composite video signal. Encoder 88 provides an output compositevideo signal to a monitor as indicated at 89 and a luminance only outputsignal which is applied to a viewfinder, as described below. Thecomposite video signal 66 and YUV digital video information on pixel bus84 are illustrated as being applied to switches 86 a and 88 a whichselectively apply one of the two inputs to their respective encoders 86or 88. The switch is actually built into an integrated circuit whichembodies the encoder, and hence the switches 86 a and 88 a are in FIG. 4for illustration purposes only. They are not intended to signifymultiplexers.

[0046] Also connected to the YUV pixel bus is a JPEG Codec 92. Althoughthe described embodiment uses JPEG compression, this is not necessaryand other types of video compression may be used. However, it has beenfound that, with a cornmercially-available Codec, full-motion broadcastquality images can be provided. Additionally, because each field iscompressed using JPEG independently of other fields in video stream,editing of video is not hindered by the compression algorithm. The JPEGCodec 92 receives input from and outputs to the pixel bus 84. The JPEGCodec is connected to a media data path controller 94. The media datapath controller 94 also receives audio information from the audiosubsystem as indicated at 96. The audio subsystem is described in moredetail below.

[0047] The media data path controller 94 controls compressed data flowbetween JPEG Codec 92 and the media data buffer 98. Additionally, itcontrols compressed data flow between the media data buffer 98 and mediastorage 100, which is typically a computer readable and writable randomaccess recording medium, such as a magnetic disk or an optical disk. Theentire system is controlled by a central processing unit 102. Thecontrol of the media data buffer 98 and CPU 102 is described, forexample, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,940 and others as described above. Thecentral processing unit has a bus 104 which connects it to a systemperipheral controller 106 which provides control signals to the entiresystem. For example, it provides controls to the media data path 94,JPEG Codec 92, disk controllers for disk subsystem 100, the YUV buslogic 82, decoder 80, the genlock decoder 60 and the encoders 86 and 88.It is also connected to a read only memory 104 which is used to storecontrol programs in the operating system for the CPU. A flash ROM 106 isalso provided in addition to some volatile memory such as dynamic randomaccess memory as shown in 108. Finally, a serial I/O controller 110 maybe used to provide either an ETHERNET or RS-422 connection to othercomputers or other equipment.

[0048] A more detailed block diagram of the circuitry shown in FIGS. 3and 4 will now be described in connection witl FIG. 5. As describedabove, the digitizing circuitry is controlled by a central processingunit 100, such as the Motorola MC68341 processor, running a real-timeoperating control system. The central processing unit 100 has a mainaddress and data bus 102 to which other parts of the system areconnected.

[0049] Digitizing circuitry includes a GENLOCK circuit 104, whichprocesses composite video signals, and a set of analog-to-digitalconverters 106, associated with a synchronization signal strippingcircuit 108, which processes component video signals into a YUV 4:2:2format digital signal. The composite video signal output by the GENLOCKcircuit 104 is provided to a decoder 110, which converts it into adigital component information, similar to that output by theanalog-to-digital converters 106. The horizontal synchronization signal(HSYNC), vertical synchronization signal (VSYNC), and the pixel clock(PIX) are used to synchronize the rest of the circuit. The compositesignal is provided along a bus 109 to a decoder 110 which translates itinto a YUV 4:2:2 digital component signal. The composite signal is alsodirected to encoder 152.

[0050] The component digital signals are applied to a pixel bus 112which directs them through a switch 114, such as a multiplexer, to araster block converter 116 and memory 118, which generates pictureblocks from the serial pixel data for use and processing according tothe JPEG compression standard described above. The memory 118 typicallyhas a size of 32K×16. The transfer of pixel data to the raster blockconverter 116 bypasses the central processing unit (CPU) 100, i.e.,pixel data is not written to the CPU's main memory 105. A JPEG processor120 interacts with the raster block converter 116 and memory 118 to takea digital still image obtained from the pixel data and compresses itusing the JPEG compression standard to provide an output as indicated at122. The JPEG compression standard may be adaptive to provide improvedimage quality while maintaining good compression levels in accordancewith the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,450.

[0051] As to audio signals inputted, a microphone or line-in signalindicated at 130 is applied to one or more audio coders and decoders(CODEC) 132 which provide a serial digital output 134. The coders arenot necessary if the input signal is digital, such as from a digitalmicrophone, digital audio tape, compact disc or other digital source, orif the output signal is digital. The sampling rate may be any desiredrate, but typical rates for audio include 44.1 KHz, 22 KHz and 48 KHz.8, 16 or 32-bit formats may be used, among other. It should beunderstood that the invention is not limited to any particular digitalaudio format. Additionally, they may receive digital input via the bus136 to convert them to analog output signals at 138. The serial audiodata 134 and the compressed video data 122 are applied to a pipelinecontrol circuit 124. The pipeline control circuit 124 is controlledusing synchronization control information from a synchronizationcontroller 126 to direct the data into a data buffer 128 typicallyimplemented as a dynamic RAM. A suitable size for this buffer is 2M×32and it is typically implemented logically as a ring buffer. The pipelinecontrol circuit is implemented in accordance with the teachings of U.S.Pat. No. 5,045,940 and PCT publication WO93/12481. The CPU 100 controlssynchronization controller 126, pipeline control circuit 124 and diskcontrollers 140 to direct the flow of the video and audio data betweenmemory 128 and the disk storage 142. Two disk controllers are used forperforming conventional striping. However, one controller may be used tosend commands to circuitry on the drive package which may divide anincoming stream or combine an outgoing stream of data in response tocommands from a single disk controller 100. Striping may be performed atthe word level, or at block or byte levels. The disk controllers andassociated bus to the disk may be a standard disk controller, such asIDE or SCSI controllers. It should be understood that the invention isnot limited to the type of disk controller.

[0052] The pipeline controller provides a form of local synchronizationusing demand-based flow control of the media data between the encodersand decoders and the computer-readable storage. The movement of data onthe pixel bus is through the compressed data buffer and to the storageis intermittent, but has an average flow that is comparable to thecontinuous, synchronized flow of a video signal. This flow controlaccommodates for statistical variations in flow due to disk accesses,memory management and other impact on the flow due to the otheroperating system activities. The flow control ensures that an encoderreceives data when the data is needed and that data is read from adecoder without being dropped. An additional benefit of usingflow-controlled media data is that no pre-roll time is needed to lock toan incoming source or to lock to an output frequency and phase.

[0053] This system may also be provided with the capability of providingan output video signal generated from the digitized video signal. Forexample, the pixel bus 112 may be connected to an overlay circuit 150.The output of the overlay circuit 150 and the composite signal 109 maybe provided to an encoder 152. The output of the encoder may be providedback to the camera which has an input for the view finder 154.Additionally, this signal may be provided to monitor output 156. In oneembodiment of the invention, the camera's view finder 154 receives asignal not only from the camera, but also from an alternate source.Using this capability, the moving picture recorder may have a controller158 and an associated memory 160 which may provide additional statusinformation via the view finder in connection with the video beingrecorded. Such status information may be an indication of battery level,time codes, time of day, function performed (e.g., recording orplayback), etc. The central processing unit 100 also has associated withit a programmable read-only memory, such as a flash memory 101 in whichprogram information is stored and a dynamic RAM controller 103 anddynamic RAM 105, which are common in the art, for storing volatile datawhile processing. Typically the memory 101 contains an operating systemand other programming code which is kept in non-volatile storage. Asuitable size for this memory 101 is 4 M. A suitable DRAM size is 4M×16.

[0054] In one embodiment, the moving picture recorder has an additionalencoder 162 which provides a composite-out video signal with VITC/LTCcontrol information. The input to the encoder may be any one of thepixel bus 112, the output of decoder 110, bypassing pixel bus 112, theoutput of A/D converters 106, bypassing pixel bus 112 or the output 109of genlock circuit 104. Alternatively, each of these inputs may beapplied to its own separate encoder. The outputs of these encoders maybe fed to a simple switch allowing for the selection of one of theseoutputs. Additionally, an ETHERNET connection 164 may also be provided.

[0055] In one embodiment of the invention, two pixels buses 112 may beused. The first bus is the record bus which connects to the outputs ofthe decoders 110 and 106, and to the inputs of the JPEG compressioncircuitry via the input side of switch 114 and the encoders 162 and 152.The second bus is the playback bus which connects to the output of theJPEG decompression circuitry, via the output side of switch 114, and theinputs of encoders 162 and 152.

[0056] In one embodiment of this invention, the GENLOCK circuit 104 maybe a Raytheon 22071 GENLOCK circuit. The decoder 110 may be a RaytheonSAA7151 decoder. The encoders 152 and 162 may also be either a Raytheonor TRW 22191 full video encoder. The ETHERNET circuit, audio modules anddisk controller are available in a variety of forms and are availablefrom a number of suppliers.

[0057]FIG. 6 describes in more detail the audio subsystem, such as shownat the audio Codecs 132 in FIG. 5. There are generally four inputchannels and four output channels: left and right microphone inputs andleft and right line inputs, and left and right balanced audio programout and left and right headphone out. Each audio channel is providedwith a selector 170 which selects between microphone and line levelinputs, according to the input 172 (which may be balanced) that itexpects to receive. A programmable gain amplifier 174 is also providedon each channel. Each audio channel also has a corresponding audioanalog-to-digital converter 176 which receives the audio input signaland converts it to a digital signal. The outputs of theanalog-to-digital converters 176 are digital audio which are applied tothe media data path device, such as indicate as the pipeline controller124 or media data path device 94 in FIG. 4. These digital signals arethen fed to digital-to-analog converters with gain control as indicatedat 178. Digital-to-analog converters 178 receive eight inputs: thedigital signals from the digital audio from the media path device (fourrecorded feeds) and the digital outputs of the analog-to-digitalconverters 176 (four live feeds). Digital-to-analog converters 178provide eight outputs to an 8-in by 4-out matrix 180 which selects fromthe 8-input and provides the 4 audio outputs. These four audio outputsare fed to, in pairs, a two-channel programmable gain amplifier 182,184. These are then fed to a microphone or line select device 186 to inturn provide either balanced audio program-out or headphone-out. Theanalog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converters may be implementedwith a Crystal Semiconductor 4225 coder/decoder. The 8-4 switchingmatrix is an analog switch such as a MAX 335 available from MAXIM.

[0058] In another embodiment, a warning tone generating circuit isprovided which is selectively applied to either the program-out orheadphone circuitry. Additionally, a speaker on the camera may beconnected to play the program-out audio.

[0059] Control of the amplifiers and switches is provided by computerprogramming in a control program on the CPU. This communication is doneover what is indicated as a QSPI bus in FIG. 5. In particular, for thevariety of possible modes of the system, the computer has correspondingoutput signals which are set when a given mode is selected by the camerauser.

[0060] Synchronization of the playback of video and audio through theprogram-out channels will now be described in FIG. 7. Thesynchronization is performed by creating a video clock from a videodecoder, such as a 13.5 MHz clock as indicated at 190. An audio clocksynthesizer, such as a Crystal Semiconductor CS1522 audio clocksynthesizer, as indicated at 192, receives the video clock from thevideo decoder and generates a master audio clock, such as a 12.288MHzclock. This master audio clock is then provided to an audio clockingsystem 194 in the media data path device which generates a plurality ofclocks to the audio subsystem.

[0061] Having now described the general structure and operation of thedigital moving picture recording device, operations for editing will nowbe described. As discussed above, recording and editing of clips ismanaged by a computer program running on the main processor of therecorder. An editing system may be implemented to perform functionscommonly performed by current computerized video editing systems, suchas the Avid/1 Media Composer and NewsCutter from Avid Technology ofTewksbury, Mass. These functions are implemented so as to be operativein response to keypad input as described below.

[0062] There are three kinds of lists which are used to maintain andmanage instances of recorded clips. A user interface is provided(discussed below in connection with FIG. 15) with numerous input buttonsand a display to allow a user to select functions to be performed. Eachof these functions manipulates one of the lists used to manage the clipson the recording device. The lists described first, followed by adescription of the user interface and functions to be performed.

[0063] The recorder uses three kinds of lists to maintain proper overallorganization of recording and sequencing activities. In particular, itmaintains what is called herein a “clip list” which indicates currentlyavailable and active recorded clips. A clip list is provided for acurrently active bin. There may be a plurality of bins stored in thesystem, and thus a clip list is maintained for each bin. Any clip may bemoved from and to the different bins. Another list, called herein an“outtake list,” is a list of clips which the videographer has indicatedas rejectable. Clips in this list are moved to it from the clip list bythe videographer in a manner described below. The clip list and outtakelist thus include the available clips or outtakes and are automaticallyorganized in ascending clip order. That is, each clip as it is recordedis assigned a number. This number is incremented for each recorded clip.It is assigned to the clip regardless of whether the clip remains in theclip list or in the outtake list.

[0064] a third list, called herein a “sequence play list,” is aprogrammable list of events. An event may hold information for playing aclip, or an event may control a switch to a specific video source. Thisprogrammable list is played back to the program video output. Thesources available for events in the sequence play list are the camera,external video, black, or a test signal, as well as clips recorded onthe disk. The disk source is automatically selected whenever a clip isplaying. Thus, the sequence play list also includes live or recordedvideo and audio clip tracks. Audio track assignments may be individuallyselected for each event and include left, right or both line audiooutput channels.

[0065] A sample clip list is found in Table I below. In this clip list,mark in and mark out points are indicated by underlined time codes. Thestart and end time codes for each clip is also provided as its length.In this example, some clips have been deleted to the outtake bin(illustrated in Table II). TABLE I CLIP Start Mark IN Mark OUT EndLength 0017 02:00:00:00 02:00:03:17 02:00:21:14 02:00:23:21 0:17:27 001802:00:23:22 02:00:49:02 0:22:20 0022 02:03:35:22 02:03:57:22 0:22:000023 02:03:57:23 02:04:01:12 02:04:17:17 02:04:24:00 0:16:05 002402:04:24:01 02:04:31:19 02:04:38:22 02:04:40:17 0:07:03 0025 02:04:40:1802:04:45:03 02:04:53:23 02:05:07:03 0:08:20 0026 02:05:07:04 02:05:11:2002:05:22:05 0:10:15 0029 02:07:07:08 02:08:10:14 1:03:06 003002:08:10:15 02:08:15:23 02:09:19:27 1:04:04 0031 02:09:19:28 02:09:25:0202:10:22:18 02:10:30:29 0:57:16 0032 02:10:31:00 02:10:44:03 02:11:47:1502:11:52:06 1:03:12 0033 02:11:52:07 02:11:57:08 02:12:18:10 0:21:020034 02:12:18:11 02:12:21:22 02:12:38:07 02:12:40:27 0:16:15 003502:12:40:28 02:12:41:18 02:12:59:21 02:13:03:02 0:18:03 0036 02:13:03:03

[0066] TABLE II CLIP Start Mark IN Mark OUT End Length 0019 02:00:49:0302:02:59:07 2:10:04 0020 02:02:59:08 02:03:20:15 0:21:07 002102:03:20:16 02:03:35:21 0:15:05 0027 02:05:22:06 02:06:13:14 0:51:080028 02:06:13:15 02:07:07:07 0:53:22

[0067] A sample sequence play list is shown in Table III. Each event isassigned a number. amd indicates a source as well as tracks which arecontrolled by it. If there are attributes (textual or numerical)assigned to clips, these are also indicated in a name/data field. In thesource field, the use of a number indicates a clip in an available bin.A duration of a clip is also indicated. The tracks indicate one videochannel and five audio channels. The first character thus indicateseither a test signal, such as may be read from disk, black, or camera,there is also the possibility to provide an external video signal whichcould be signified by an “X”. The second field may indicate a microphoneinput to be directed to the output. Finally, the last four fieldsindicate which audio track should be used. It is possible, for example,to use the audio track from one clip and the video from another asindicated in event 5 is this play list. TABLE III EVENT SOURCE TRACKSNAME/DATA 01 TEST V-TONE 02 BLACK B----- 03 CAMERA CM---- >04 0027:16V-1--- VICTIMS 05 0030:04 VM--34 WILDFIRE 0017:04 ---2-- VOICE 06 ----07 ---- 08 ---- 09 ----

[0068] Time displays in this system are based on standard SMPTE timecode, which can be used in any of the typical SMPTE modes. Values can bepreset. Use of a time display in this form permits logging by thevideographer for later reference as part of a typical journal ofproduction notes. This time location can also be used in a characteroverlay to display the time location of a current freeze frame, forexample. During recording, a running time value may be shown.

[0069] A clip is the result of any one cycle of recording and mayinclude video information, audio information, or both. The frame isdigitized and stored between the time when record mode (digitizing)begins and ends as a clip. When recording stops, each clip automaticallyreceives a unique identifying number. The clip counter is advanced byone every time a new clip is recorded. Like the time values, the clipcounter may be preset to a desired value for recording. Clip numbers maybe used for navigating and locating a clip. Also, a current clip valuemay be displayed along with time value on a monitor output characteroverlay. Clips may also be assigned a mark in and mark out points usingthe editing features described below.

[0070] An event contains mark in and mark out locations and trackplayback assignments for a clip. An event may also control the programout to select any source, such as the camera, external video, black, ortest. By allowing the clips to be assigned or inserted into any event,this feature supports split “L” cuts, narration of music to pictures,etc. Events may be navigated, reviewed and trimmed in the same manner asclips, using the editing features described in more detail below.

[0071] The user interface for the system will now be described inconnection with FIGS. 8 and 9. The control interface is divided intothree,levels of operation. The first level of operation is basic motioncontrol which include most basic and familiar functions commonlyassociated with video tape systems. Most of these commands are supportedby real-time dedicated keys on the display, as described below.Generally speaking, the dedicated keys are assigned to functions thatmust be quickly and easily accessible most or all of the time to thevideographer. The dedicated control keys may be organized into functiongroups on the interface. The second level of operation is referred toherein as “advanced transactions,” for which real-time adaptive keys areassigned. These advanced transactions include tasks associated withnumeric media navigation and sequence management. These adaptive keysprovide functions, generally speaking, which are geared to simplify andstreamline routine transactions and to speed up sequence buildingoperations. These adaptive keys are described in more detail below. Thethird level of operation is provided for a system set up tasks,diagnostics, and those functions that are not frequently or routinelyused in the course of an average production day. This level of controlis accessed through a series of menu pages on a display. The menu pagesare defined by data stored in memory and accessed according to the stateor mode of operation of the camera.

[0072] Referring now to FIG. 8, the user interface includes a display200 which provides a textual output to the user, for example through aliquid crystal display. Associated with display 200 are function keysF1-F12. A caption, such as the word “HELP” as indicated at 202, isdisplayed on display 200 adjacent to each of the function keys. Thecaption displayed adjacent each key indicates the function that the keyis currently programmed to operate. The different screens and thefunctionality provided thereby are described in more detail below. Thededicated keys include a numeric entry keypad 204 which includes keyswith the numbers 0-9. The display also includes navigational controls206. These nine keys herein are indicated as: “Clear”, “<”, “>”,“Prior”, “Next”, “+/−”, “In”, “Out”, and “Shift”. Program switchingcontrols are provided by six keys indicated to 208. These keys controlrecording and playback as well as the source to the program output, suchas camera, external, test, etc. Six other keys are provided fortransport control as indicated at 110. Audio playback level controls areprovided at 212 and audio input levels controls are provided at 214. Theinterface may also include a RAM button 216, tally button 218, powerswitch 220, a HotRec button 222. Three other switches may be provided asindicated at 224, for controlling the finder, panel and light. Outputsmay also be provided at a speaker 226 and 228, an LCD 230 and a Nightcontrol button 232. Covers 234 and 236 may be provided over thededicated keys, such as shown in FIG. 9.

[0073] The functions provided by these buttons will now be described inmore detail.

[0074] In this embodiment of the invention there are two primary displaypages which provide the basis of routine operations. One of these pagesis selected by the user as a home page. Depressing of the “clear” keyreturns the system to the home page after other operations have beencompleted. A third page is accessible from either of these two pages toprovide access for a system set-up tasks, adjustments, and diagnosticfunctions.

[0075] One of the primary display pages, a recorder display, isillustrated in FIG. 10. The adaptive key motion controls F1-F5 areidentical in operation to similar dedicated keys located above thedisplay shown in FIG. 8. The amount of power available to continuerecording and editing material is indicated at “BATT” in the display,along with the associated remaining available time for recording clips.Current clip and time display is located next to the play control at F5.A similar overlay may be presented on the video monitor output signal.This signal may be switched, between a monitor and the cameraviewfinder. There are bar graph audio level indicators for audio tracks1-4 displayed next to the F7 and F8 keys. These are aligned with therecording level controls for each track as controlled by recording levelbutton controls 214. The programmable playback assignments for eachtrack are shown below the level bar graphs. The current clip and timedisplay, next to the play control button, includes a time line locatordisplay, which is a two-character display representing a current frame.It provides an indicator of marks and verifies clip boundaries and MarkIN and Mark OUT frames. It operates as an extension of the time displayand is found in both the recorder display and the sequencer display tobe described below. Timeline locator symbols are indicated in Table IV.These four symbols are exemplary, other symbols could be used, however,it has been determined that the symbols listed in Table IV provide moreintuitive combinations of symbol pairs for communicating the status of agiven frame. Symbol pairs form timeline locators for each frame. TABLEIV | CLIP boundary. The first or last frame. > Marked frames existfollowing this point. < Marked frames exist preceding this point. = Thispoint is within the marked frames.

[0076] The table of assignments of these pairs to timeline locators areshown in Table V. TABLE V |= First frame of an Unmarked CLIP |> Firstframe of a Marked CLIP >> Frames preceding Mark IN >= The Mark IN frame== Frames between the Mark IN/OUT =< The Mark OUT Frame << Framesfollowing the Mark OUT <| Last frame of a Marked CLIP =| Last frame ofan Unmarked CLIP >< Both IN/OUT marks indicate a freeze frame. -- PLAYor SCAN motion disables this display.

[0077] Examples of how each frame in a timeline is defmed by these twocharacters is provided by the examples of Table VI, wherein each frameis defined by 2 characters in the timeline.

[0078] Example D indicates a clip right after recording, with no marks.TABLE VI

[0079] In the sequencer mode, the display is such as shown in FIG. 11.In FIG. 11, the example shows the recorder in the state where a freezeframe of the last recording device is currently available. In thesequencer mode, there are several modes for numeric navigation. They arereferred to by function keys 1-4 and 12. Pressing any of these functionkeys sets the command line to the selected mode, where the command lineis indicated at 240. The command line presenting numeric entry fieldformatted for each mode. When any mode is selected the numeric fielddisplays the current freeze frame location value. Touching any numberson the keypad below instantly and automatically clears the numeric fieldof the current location value and displays new numbers as they areentered. Numeric input enters from the right and parades left withsuccessive keystrokes. The clear key is used to clear the field. The F5function key changes from “play-pause” to “GOTO” any time a numericfield value is changed. Thus, the GOTO option is presented any time anynew numbers are entered. The formatted numeric fields for the variousmodes are described below in Table VII. TABLE VII TIME..:..:..:..CLIP.... CLIPTITLE :00 V-1234 EVENT.. = 0000 :00 VM1234 PAGE..OUTTAKE.... :00 V-1234

[0080] The clip mode will now be described, which is entered by pressingthe F2 function key in the sequencing mode. This mode may the defaultmode for the sequencer and recorder. The clip mode may be generallyasserted after a TIMEOUT period, after recording after editing events orafter depression of the clear key.

[0081] The upper portion of the display in the sequencer mode in FIG. 11is dedicated to clip and time navigation activities in sequencebuilding. The F1 function key is assigned to “time” and the F2 functionkey is assigned to “clip” and includes corresponding displays on theleft and on the overlay on the monitor OUT video signal. These displaysindicate the system's current location. There are two clip values(0017/0035) located just to the right of the current clip display. Theseindicate the lowest and highest clip numbers available, i.e., the rangeof clips present on the currently attached disk or other recordingmedium.

[0082] Basic sequence building functions are available on the right handside of the display, namely DELETE and INSERT which are operatedrespectively by the F7 and F8 function keys. By pressing either the F1or F2 function keys, numeric input is received to bring the system to acurrent location which then may be acted upon using either DELETE orINSERT, or other keys such as described in more detail below.

[0083] The command line 240 (line 4) is at the base of this area justbelow the clip display. The command line displays the current state ormode of operation, i.e., either time, clip, outtake, event or sequence.GOTO and play controls, provided by the F5 function key respond to thedisplayed command line mode and its numeric field value.

[0084] In the clip mode, the command line displays an indication of aclip, its duration and recorded tracks. In the event mode, the commandline displays the event and its associated clips in similar fashion.Because navigation and sequencing activities typically involve managingthe relationships between clips and events, the command line is situatedbetween the current clip display and the event window. When firstselecting or defaulting to the clip mode, the command line and the clipdisplay agree. When first selecting the event mode, the lower of the twoevents displayed in the event window and the command line agree.

[0085] When selected, the time, page, and outtake modes also appear on acommand line in the same manner. Thus, the command line provides anindication of the current mode and manages numeric input field fornavigation. Together, the command line and the numeric field input worktogether to provide a system that offers straightforward operatingsimplicity and speed of a common calculator. As each transactionprogresses, some function key captions are updated. This provides anappropriate controlled universe of choices. Appropriate functions andoperators are presented as needed. This limited interface techniquesimplifies the overall screen presentation.

[0086] In the center of the sequencer display is the event display areabetween the F3 and F9 function keys. The event display is a scrollingwindow that shows two events in the sequence play list. Whenever thissystem is placed in the event mode by depressing the function key F3,the lower event (indicated by a “>”), moves up to also be displayed onthe command line. Tracks may be accessed for assignment via depressionof the F9 function key. The track assignment for the next event is shownon the lower event line. The insert and delete functions assigned tofunction keys F7 and F8 apply to the lower of the displayed events.

[0087] The lowest portion of the sequencer display is used for othermaintenance and recording activities. Thus, recording can be done fromthe sequencer display rather than the recorder display. Additional menupages may also be directly invoked as provided.

[0088] The functions performed by the dedicated keys as well as theprogrammable function keys associated with the display area will now bedescribed in more detail.

[0089] The dedicated key controls as shown in FIG. 8 will first bedescribed in connection with recording mode. The system maintains acurrent position counter for the respective time, clip, outtake andevent modes, are referred to herein as displays. There are also separaterecord location counters for the next time and clip values. These arereferred to herein as record counters. The record counter values aredisplayed from either the recorder or sequencer page during recording orwhenever the system is placed in the editing mode to observe inputsignals. In this mode, the camera trigger button is a trigger normallyused to start and stop clip recording. The button is on the camera andprovides a trigger signal to digitization circuitry. In the sequencermode, the trigger starts playback of the sequence play list. When thetrigger is invoked to start recording, other motion operations and modesare interrupted and the system is set to the clip mode. The display maybe switched to the recorder page. The camera is switched to the programout and monitor out video outputs and microphones are switched to theaudio program out and to the speaker. The entire system control panel isthen locked out. The system input is then set to be from the camera andrecording on the disk is started. Recording is stopped only by thecamera trigger. When recording stops, the new clip is added to the clipbin play list. The command line is updated as shown in FIG. 10 with thenewly recorded clip. In the editing mode, the time and clip recordcounters show the next clip and next frame. In the play/pause mode, thetime and clip displays are updated to the current clip and last frame.

[0090] The “CAM” key switches the camera to the program output. Presetmicrophones are set to the audio program output. When a disk is inplayback mode, depressing this key pauses disk motion from any clip,outtake or event on and switches the camera to program output. When thiskey is depressed along with the “PLAY” key, recording of the camera isinvoked. When this key is depressed with the “PAUSE” key, the camera isswitched to the monitor output and preset microphones are set to theaudio monitor output. The time and clip displays are switched to therecord counter. When in the event mode, and not on line, the camera maybe selected for insertion to any event, for a given time duration or anopen-ended defaulted duration as described in more detail below.

[0091] The “DISK” key switches the disk to the program output. When inthe clip mode, recorded clips are played back. In the event mode, thesequence list is played back. In the outtake mode, the outtakes areplayed back.

[0092] The “EXT” key is identical in function to the “CAM” key exceptthat it selects external video rather than camera as the source foreither program output, monitor output or recording or insertion as anevent.

[0093] Similarly, the “BLACK” button operates similar to the “EXT” andthe “CAM” buttons, however, it provides a black image to either programoutput or the monitor output. Generally, black is not recorded.

[0094] The “TEST” button is similar in operation to the “BLACK” button.However, it recalls a color bar pattern from memory and switches thisalong with a test tone to the audio program and monitor outputs. Whendepressed with the “PLAY” button, the host camera is switched to themonitor output, and a color bar calibration sequence is invoked. Thiscolor bar pattern is stored in memory. When depressed with the “PAUSE”button, the test signal freeze frame is switched to the monitor outputand the test tone is switched to the audio monitor output. Its operationis otherwise similar to the “BLACK” button in the event mode.

[0095] The “PGM” button turns the program output encoder on and off. Theprogram output encoder is automatically switched on by entering thesequencer mode. The program output encoder defaults to black when it ison.

[0096] The “READY” button cycles the disk media up or down. This isforced by invoking the sequence mode as well. When the disk is cycledup, the disk is caused to spin, and the sequence, clip and outtake listsare retrieved from the disk. Also, the last positions of the disk arealso recalled, along with the last sequence play list that was used, andthe last event in that sequence play list. Mode displays are updated,along with a command line and the ready indication is set to be “ON”. Oncycle down, the ready indicator is set to “OFF”. Clip, outtake andsequence play lists are stored on the disk drive along with the lastclip and outtake positions, the last sequence play list, and the lasteven position of the sequence play list. The disk drive is then spundown, and a “NOT READY” message is posted on the command line. The“READY” button may be invoked with the “PAUSE” button which matches theready to off, and operates to eject the disk drive pack. The message“EJECTED” is posted on the command line.

[0097] The “PLAY” key switches the disk as the video source to themonitor output and the audio tracks to the monitor audio output. A playcommand is then initiated for any current sequence event, clip orouttake. If the disk drive is not ready, it invokes the ready initiationsequence. Any current clip, outtake or event is displayed in the commandline, which is updated at boundary crossings (transitions). The timedisplay is updated in seconds. Frame and timeline marks are omitted fromthe display during playback.

[0098] The “PAUSE” key is available in numerous modes. From the playmode, motion of clips, outtakes or events is frozen and a freeze of thelast frame played is maintained on the monitor output or program output.This system updates the time display at this point in time. From therecord mode, recording is paused, however displaying of a previouslyselected end-to-end input signal is continued. With either of the “CAM”,“EXT”, or “TEST” buttons, the end-to-end signal is switched to themonitor output only and the time and clip displays are switched to therecord counter. When “PAUSE” is depressed with “DISK”, the disk isswitched to the monitor output only and the current freeze frame isdisplayed. Time and clip displays are switched to the current position.

[0099] The scan left and scan right buttons, indicated by “<<<” and“>>>” are available in the play and pause modes. In the play mode, ascan button operates as latching only and speeds up motion to aboutthree times normal. This scan mode is stopped by pushing the “PLAY”button. From the pause mode, this button operates as latching only andinitiates five times normal play speed. By depressing this key severaltimes, the motion can be increased even more. By pressing the oppositedirection scan button, the speed can be reduced.

[0100] The “MIC>” key, when depressed, performs a binary operation,which turns preset microphones on or off to the program output. Itoperates with the tracks function in the event mode which is describedin more detail below.

[0101] The audio input level controls 214 regulate the input gain andlevel to the four disk tracks. Similarly, audio playback level controls212 regulate the playback gain and level of the four disk tracks.

[0102] The “RETRO/LOOP” key 222 sets the system input to the camera andstarts a function called “LOOP/RECORD”. The system is set to the clipmode and optionally switches the LCD display to the recorder page. Thecamera is switched to program and monitor outputs and audio program andmonitor outputs are switched to preset microphones. Once in this mode, astandard record may be invoked by normal operations. The “LOOP/RECORD”function stores a loop of video information, for example, a few secondsto a couple of minutes worth, in a memory loop such as a ring-likebuffer. This buffer may be in memory or in the disk. When otherrecording is invoked, the data in the loop is appended to the beginningof the next contiguous recorded clip.

[0103] The number keys 0-9, indicated at 204, are simply keypad inputsto displays encountered which are entered via the command line field.These numerical keys are used to provide numeric input presets for otherfunctions, such as for the GOTO function or “set counter” functions,described below. The sign key, “±”, has three states of operation, plus,minus, and off. It may be invoked before or after a numeric entry andplaces a plus or a minus sign trailing the command line numeric field.This may then be used to apply the numeric field as a value relative tothe current location. For example, a numeric field input can be added orsubtracted to the current location value for any time, clip, outtake orevent and a GOTO operation can be performed using the results and value.

[0104] The “CLEAR” key provides similar functionality of an undo key.For example, in response to this key, the system deletes an entry in anactive numeric field, or returns to the sequencer or recorder home page.When at the sequencer page, the system deletes an entry from the commandline numeric field, puts the command line in clip mode, or set the clipdisplay to the last recorded clip. When at the recorder page, the clearkey sets the clip display to the last recorded clip, invokes GOTO to thelast clip freeze frame and updates the clip time display line.

[0105] The “FRAME” keys, denoted as“<” and “>”, step a display frameback or ahead by one. This is only used for playing a track for eachframe to the monitor only. It may also be used in combination with the“SHIFT” key to step ahead or back by 10 frames, for example. It may alsobe depressed in combination with an IN or OUT key, as described below,to operate a TRIM function on a clip, by moving Mark IN and Mark OUTmarkers by one frame to the left or to the right (or forward or backwardin time). In the clip mode, a clip is altered using the trim function.In event mode, the event is altered using the trim function.

[0106] The “PRIOR” key is used to navigate a list such as a clip list,outtake list or a sequence play list. For example, the command linenumeric field is decremented by 1 and a GOTO command is invoked to themark in point or first frame of the clip and a clip bin play list. Asimilar operation is performed for the outtake list. In the event mode,the GOTO function is not automatically invoked.

[0107] The “NEXT” key has similar operation to the “PRIOR” key exceptthat it goes to the next position in the list rather than the previousposition in the list.

[0108] The “SHIFT” key has been already been described in a couple ofinstances above. It may be used in combination with other of theadaptive key functions to be described below. Additionally, thecombination of the shift, clear and play keys can be used to reboot themachine.

[0109] The “IN” key operates within the active clip, outtake, or eventlist. When in this mode, for a given clip, outtake or event, the systemis updated and moved to the frame previously marked as in the currentclip. If no frame is marked, no GOTO operation is performed, and amessage is displayed for a brief period of time to the user that thereis no mark in the current clip. When this key is used in combinationwith the SHIFT key, it sets a Mark in point in either the clip or theevent. in outtake mode, no marks are made.

[0110] The “OUT” key operates similarly to the IN key, but moves to anyMark OUT position in a clip. The SHIFT key when used in combination withthis key forms a Mark OUT point.

[0111] Finally, the toggle switches provided at 224 include a viewfindertri-state toggle switch “Finder”. When set at “DISK”, the monitor OUT isalso output to the viewfinder. When in “AUTO”, a switch table is used tocontrol the viewfinder. That is, a number of variety of switchingarrangements are provided such that when they are entered into usingother editing operations, that switch table controls the viewfinder.When in “CAM” state, the camera is directed to the viewfinder.

[0112] The control panel switch “Panel” enables local control of thesystem via the user interface such as disclosed in FIG. 15. When set toOFF, current settings are saved and control of the system is disabledexcept via the camera trigger. When set to “REM”, signifying remote, itenables parallel outside control system through, for example, anETHERNET or RS232 connection.

[0113] A “LIGHT” switch allows power to an external light to be on, off,or automatically turned on or off with the record mode.

[0114] Finally, a “POWER” button is provided at 220. This provides powercontrol to the system and the camera. It follows the camera's powerswitch setting when set in AUTO mode, which is useful for routine recordmode. When it is set to “ON” the system is set to ON, independently ofthe camera's power switch setting. This is useful for sequence playbackwith no live camera event, to avoid providing power to the camera. Whenset to “OFF” the system is set to be off, independent of the camera'spower switch setting.

[0115] Having now described the multiple dedicated buttons on thedisplay, the adaptive key operations and conventions will now bedescribed.

[0116] When the recorder page is displayed, such as shown in FIG. 10,function keys F1-F5 provide motion operations identical to the dedicatedkeys described above. Function key F6 provides the ability to enter aclip data management page. It operates on a current clip and may beinvoked before or after recording clips to set up or select data fields,to enter clip titles and text, or to set a merit value for each clip.Thus, each clip may have a data field associated therewith in which toplace characteristic data.

[0117] The F9 function key sets the system to the sequencer as the homepage. The F10 function key is set to display a list of systems set upchapters which may be scrolled with the PRIOR and NEXT keys. These pagesof menus of yet additional pages can be provided as desired and providemerely text navigation.

[0118] The F11 function key provides information on other keys andmodes. When pushed, this button causes “????” to appear in place of theword HELP, and allows a user to push a key for which help informationcan be provided as a text message.

[0119] The F12 function key invokes the outtake mode and playlist. Thehighest number of the outtakes appears on the command line. At thispoint, the F6 function key operates as a restore function. The keystrokeSHIFT F12 (outtake) keeps the recorder page in clip mode. The currentclip is removed from the clip list and is relocated into the outtakeplay list. The clip display number then decrements by 1 and the commandline is updated. in the outtake mode, the F6 function operates as arestore key as mentioned above. It replaces “attributes” and the “setcounter” functions. It takes a current outtake from the outtake playlist and restores it into the clip in play list. Clip displays areupdated to the restored clip. The command resets to the clip mode andupdates.

[0120] Turning now to the sequencer page, and FIG. 11, the function keysF5, F6, F 11 and F12 remain substantially the same as the recorder page,as discussed above.

[0121] The F5 key may also may act as a GOTO function which may beinvoked when a caption is displayed, for example on the command line.Otherwise, the F5 key operates a PLAY/PAUSE operation which starts andstops clip or event motion at normal speed.

[0122] The F6 function key is set to invoke attribute operations asdiscussed above when in the recorder mode. For example, it may be usedmark locators during recording, for grading clip merit after recording,etc. Whenever the numeric field is changed at the command line, the F6function key changes its function to the SET COUNTER function. This isonly available in time and clip modes, but not event the mode. Wheninvoked, if the clip or time exists, this key performs a GOTO finction.Otherwise, the current frame is unfrozen and the monitor output isswitched to the camera input. The timer clip counter is set a new valueand the timer clip display is updated. The next recorder clip isassigned the two time clip values from these counters.

[0123] in the event mode, the alternate function to “attributes” is“sequence”. This function is used to begin playback of the sequence playlist. in this mode, if the disk drive is not ready, it is made to beready and is locked on. A GOTO operation is then performed to bringfirst event to be current. The program out encoder is set on and toblack, if it was off. If the program out encoder is on, the currentlyselected source is maintained. Functions in the event mode are describedin more detail below.

[0124] Finally, the F10 function key in the sequencer mode is reservedfor accessing lists. The type and formatting of the displayed list isdetermined by the selected mode. For example, in the page mode, the F10flunction key acts as an index and displays a list of system set upchapters as described above. in the time mode, the F10 function keyperforms a list function which opens and presents a portion of the clipbin, and can display a list of up to ten clips which can be scrolledusing the PRIOR and NEXT keys. The same operation is provided when therecorder is in the clip mode. in the outtake mode, the function issimilar, but presents a portion of the outtake bin. Finally, in theevent mode the operation is similar but opens and presents a portion ofthe sequence play list. Thus, to see the sequence of events in thesequence play list, from the sequencer page, one would simply press F3event, F10 list.

[0125] Given the foregoing definitions of the keys of the userinterface, numerous transactions can be provided on the camera bycontrolling switching and by maintaining clip list and other list datastructures for sequences. These transactions will now be described indetail. The set of transactions should be considered exemplary and notlimiting.

[0126] As a preliminary matter, before a discussion of editing ofsequences and clips, a discussion concerning the meaning of a markoutframe will now be provided. in traditional time code based editingsystems, the markout frame is regarded as exclusive within an editdecision list event. The in frame is played as part of any event in asequence, but the out frame is not played. Thus, traditional time codebased editing systems do not include the outgoing frame in the onlineassembly of an edit decision list. Thus, the markout frame is treated asthe first frame following the desired event duration. An ambiguity thateditors should be aware of with visually based editing systems usingoutframe exclusion is that the displayed outpoint freeze frame is notpart of the assembly sequence. What should be set as the mark out framein such a system is the frame following the desired final frame for theclip or the event. For many routine editing decisions this visualambiguity is not significant, but the selection of the outframe is nolonger purely instinctive. Editors instinctively tend to select the lastframe that they want included in the event. This is a very naturalextension of the experience and physical act of cutting film. Videoediting systems vary by design. To support the natural experience, theoutframe in this system is consistently operated to be inclusive whenmarking or playing clips are events. The inclusive outframe techniquealso provides clear expression of the true visual relationship betweenevent boundaries and further simplifies trimming operations.

[0127] Some editing conventions for the sequence play list will first bedescribed. The function key F7 is used for the delete function in theclip, outtake and event modes. in a clip and outtake modes, upondepression of the delete key, a warning caption is displayed adjacent tothe function key F6. Depression of the F6 key deletes the clip from theclip bin, or the outtake from the outtake bin. The display isdecremented by one and the time and clip displays, along the commandline, are updated. The F6 attributes caption is restored. Deletion of aclip from the outtake bin deletes it completely and frees up the diskspace for storing further clips.

[0128] If the delete key is invoked from the event mode, the time andclip displays are updated and a warning message is displayed adjacentthe F6 function key. Depressing the F6 function key then deletes theevent data from the play list and ripples any contiguous subsequentevents up in the list, until any null or black event mounted isattained. The event display position is not incremented, but the eventdisplay is updated.

[0129] The INSERT command, invoked by the F8 function key, can beinvoked from either the clip or event modes. It inserts a clip into anevent position if invoked in the clip mode. If evoked in the event mode,it ties a current clip to the current event. It does not normallyreplace previous event data. Any previous event data is generallyrippled to the next event, and any contiguous subsequent events are alsorippled through the sequence play list. The event counter is thenincremented by one and the event display is updated, and the commandline is returned to clip mode.

[0130] The first transaction to be described is mounting a disk in therecorder mode. FIG. 12 illustrates the display when a disk drive pack isejected. Note that counter and location displays are suppressed, and theadjacent to the F1 function key is the message “ejected”. When the diskdrive pack is loaded, the READY command is now available adjacent the F1 function key, which can then be evoked to cause the disk drive tospin. in this state, the message next to the F1 function key is“ready—”. The current time and clip record counters are updated when theREADY key is depressed. At this state, the “READY” indication is set tobe “on” and the disk drive is at normal speed. The last clipfreeze-frame is output to the monitor output with an overlay showing thelocation. The time clip display is also updated. in this state, thedisplay appears as shown in FIG. 13, where the time and clip display asshown are merely exemplary. At any time, the disk drive may be spun downand, the recorder returns to a NOT READY state. This is similar to FIG.13 adjacent to the function key Fl is the message “ready --”. in thisstate, the record counter values are maintained, and the disk drive isstill loaded. The freeze frame display output to the monitor output isblank. When the drive pack is ejected, the record counter values arezeroed out.

[0131] A similar transaction, as seen from the sequencer page, will nowbe described in connection with FIGS. 14 and 15. FIG. 14 shows asequencer page when the drive pack is ejected. Generally, the sequenceris shown in clip mode, but with displays suppressed. When the disk drivepack is physically loaded, the command line message changes from“ejected” to “not ready”. The READY key may now be invoked to spin thedisk drive. in this instance, the user would use the dedicated readykey. When the disk drive pack is loaded and the disk drive is spinning,the last clip freeze frame appears at the monitor output. The eventcounter is set to be the last event as indicated adjacent to the F3function key. Similarly, the time and clip record counters are updatedand displayed. At this time, any other functions or transactions can beperformed, after which the system could be shut down. By depressing theREADY key a second time, the disk drive is spun down. However, countersand display values are maintained and the freeze frame display at themonitor out is blanked. The command line is changed from that shown inFIG. 2 to indicate that the system is “not ready”. Ejecting the diskdrive pack zeros out the system.

[0132] Once a ready state is achieved such as shown in either of FIGS.13 or 15 in a sequencer or recorder page, other transactions may beperformed by the user.

[0133] A transaction for selecting a navigating and operating mode willnow be described. FIG. 16 shows the sequencer page in the time operatingmode. The current position is the last frame of the last recorded clip.INSERT and DELETE functions are suppressed. The function key F8 isassigned to return to the recorder page.

[0134] By depressing the F4 function key, the sequencer is switched topage access mode in which INSERT and DELETE functions are stillsuppressed and the recorder is still available through use of the F8function key. The F10 function is then changed to “index”. The timedisplay adjacent to the F2 function key is changed to a page display,e.g., “0.1”, as shown in FIG. 17.

[0135] Depression of the F2 function key switches the sequencer to theclip operating mode, which is the default mode for the sequencer. Thetracks display shows the recorded tracks of a clip above the F9 functionkey command and shows the tracks of an event below the F9 function keycommand as shown in FIG. 18. Depression of the dedicated CLEAR keyresets the system to this default clip mode.

[0136] Depression of the F3 function key places a sequencer in eventmode, such as shown in FIG. 19. The event mode remains active withtransaction key strokes and returns the clip mode after a 10 second timeout. in event mode, the F6 function key is assigned to “sequence” whichallows a sequence play list to be played back.

[0137] The F9 function key, when depressed in either of the time, page,clip or event modes, sets the sequencer to the clip mode tracks manager,as shown in FIG. 20. This track control is also available for eventmode. in clip mode, any tracks switched on are record enabled, such asshown adjacent to the F7-F12 function keys. Left numbers in theright-hand half of the display indicate the tracks to be recorded. ThePATCH key on function key F8 allows audio channels to be reconfigured.

[0138] in the tracks manager, the F6 function key sets a playback trackfor operations. The desired playback clip is currently displayed.Selecting any one track for play locks it out from recording. Nooriginal playback clip information is replaced. New clips are createdusing the record counter values, which inherit marks and timing from theplayback clip. This allows them to be easily synchronized later. When atrack is selected for play, such as track 2 as indicated adjacent to theF10 key, the status is indicated as “play”.

[0139] The sequencer set to the event mode tracks manager is shown inFIG. 21. in the event mode, the tracks control sets playback tracks. Theevent mode tracks manager controls the switching on of microphones,tracks on for two clips, and left and right channel assignments outputfor sources in each event. Clips selector indicated adjacent the F5 andF6 function keys assigns the candidate new clip to the first or secondclip (source 1 or 2). Tracks may be toggled on or off. Conflicts arelocked out. For a standard insert event, the clip selector may beignored. It defaults the candidate new clip to the first and ripples anyprevious first clip to the next event, thus performing the standardinsert. Selecting function key F9, “tracks”, depressing function key F5,for the first clip, inserts the new clip into the event. The old clipdoes not ripple. Thus, function keys F9 and F5 set up a replaceoperation on F8.

[0140] The process of finding and playing a clip will now be described.in the sequencer page, when the clip key is depressed, the display issuch as shown in FIG. 18. The command line automatically displays thecurrent clip and field. The track display shows the available cliptracks. Numeric input enters the field from the right. Thus, when a userinputs characters, for example, 2 and 5, the command line clears theprevious clip data and the function keys F5 and F6 change their captionand function to numeric input control, namely GOTO and SET COUNTERfunction, as shown in FIG. 22. The GOTO function is then depressed(function key F5). When GOTO is invoked, the command line display isupdated with the new clip data. The first frame of the new clip entry isretrieved and displayed on the monitor output. The time and clipdisplays are also updated. The function keys F5 and F6 are returned tothe their original functions. If the disk is available on line, thisGOTO operation is suppressed. After execution of the GOTO function ofthe display is such as shown in FIG. 23. Depression of the NEXT key atthis point in time advances the command line clip by 1. The command linefield is incremented by 1 and a GOTO operation in the clip mode isexecuted. Displays, command line, and key captions are updated, such asshown in FIG. 24. Given a clip, and depression of the F5 function key toinvoke the “play” function, normal play back motion begins. Finding anplaying back an outtake operates in a similar manner. This processgenerally involves four steps: depressing the OUTTAKE key, inputtingnumeric indicia of the desired outtake, depressing the GOTO key, anddepressing the PLAY key. The differences between the outtake and clipmodes are described above. Generally speaking, in the outtake mode therestore function is used instead of the “set counter” function forfunction key F6. Additionally, the command line refers to an outtakerather than a clip.

[0141] Finding an playing an event is similar to finding and playing anouttake or a clip. First, a user depresses the event key, and the eventdisplay is presented. The desired event number is then input in acommand line. Depressing the F5 key causes a GOTO function, jumping tothe event. Depressing the PLAY key starts playback of the event. Theevent display is shown in FIG. 25. The command line indicates that event5, in this example, corresponds to a clip 30. If, for example, newnumbers were input as the desired event, the command line is thenchanged to indicate this desired event and the GOTO option is thenpresented at function key F5. Depressing of the F5 key advances directlyto the desired event. Time and clip displays update such as shown inFIG. 26, and the GOTO key resets to the play/pause option. The commandline indicates the current event. Depressing the PLAY key startsplayback of events in the sequence play list. Since an event list maycontain events of open duration, such a camera source, these arepresented as the input sources or as freeze frames. in this mode,depressing the PLAY key steps to the next event when the play list inonline to the program out.

[0142] Inserting a clip into an event is similar to finding and playingback an event, but rather than pressing PLAY to play back, the EVENT key(function key F3) is depressed and the event display is presented. Atthis point in time, depressing the INSERT key (function key F8) placesthe selected clip into the event. Depressing of the EVENT key can alsooccur after the user has pressed the PLAY key after finding the clip tobe inserted. When switched to event mode from clip mode after selectionof a clip, the display appears like FIG. 27. At this point in time,depressing the INSERT key completes the insert to event operation. Thatis, the last empty event, in this example event 5, is set to theselected clip. At this point in time, the command line returns to theclip mode and the event display is incremented by 1 and updated such asshown in FIG. 28.

[0143] Selecting tracks before an insert will now be described. Once inthe event mode, such as shown in FIG. 27, an optional transaction may beevoked before an insert to preset desired tracks. in this case, thefunction key F9, associated with tracks, is depressed. The microphoneand track positions are displayed, such as shown in FIG. 29. in thisinstance, the function key F8 toggles the master microphone between OFF,SET, and ON. Microphones 1-4 are toggled using F9-F12 function keys tobe either left, right, both or off. Once the track selection is madeusing the F7-F9 keys, depression of the F1 key accepts the final trackedassignment and returns to the event mode. At this point in time, theinsert key may be depressed to insert the clip into the event.

[0144] Automatic sequential clip inserts into events can also be made.This provides a shorthand method to rapidly build a sequence becauseclips need not be marked or trimmed in advance, and events may betrimmed after a sequence playlist is built. Additionally tracks may beset after a sequence playlist is built. Beginning in the clip mode asdescribed above, in connection with finding a clip, the GOTO functionneed not be performed. Rather, the INSERT key may be simply depressed.The event display is simply updated and incremented by 1 and the commandline remains in the clip mode. Thus, a user can input a number and hitthe INSERT key followed by another number and then the INSERT key etc.Thus, a sequence can be rapidly built.

[0145] Deletion of an event is similar to finding and playing back anevent. However, instead of depressing the PLAY key, the DELETE key isdepressed instead. After pressing the DELETE key, the display updates towhat is shown in FIG. 30 to provide the message “are you sure” adjacentto function key F6. Depressing the function key F6 completes the delete.After the delete is executed the event display updates and subsequentevents ripple up to fill in the list if any. The system then returns tothe clip mode.

[0146] Finding and trimming a transition or event will now be described.Generally, the same steps are followed so as to identify the event,including depressing the event key, numerical keys, and the GOTO key. Atthis stage, the user can depress the IN key and hold it down. The frametrim keys are then depressed a number of times to move the mark in pointas desired. The user can watch the display area and monitor the framestatus as provided by the two symbol indication near the top center ofthe display. Holding down the OUT key likewise with each depression ofthe frame key moves the mark out event.

[0147] Playing a sequence play list to program out will now bedescribed. The EVENT key is depressed to present the event display andenter the event mode. A desired event number may optionally be depressedat that point as well. At this point in time, rather than depressing theGOTO key, the user may depress the function key F6 associated with thefunction “sequence”. The command line displays “sequence =event 3”. Thesystem automatically preloads event 3 and sets the program out encoderto ON. Depressing either the camera trigger or the play key startsplayback of the sequence playlist. in accordance with the media datacontroller described above, while event is being played back, another isbeing preloaded into memory.

[0148] The transaction of adding a second clip or track to an existingevent, such as a second audio track, will now be described. This issimilar to finding the desired new clip from the clip list and thenentering the event mode, through the key sequence of commands CLIP,NUMBER, GOTO and EVENT. Once in the event mode, the “prior” key can beselected to identify a previous existing event. At this point in time,the command line is updated to indicate the current event and thecurrently selected clip. The event window indicates the currentlyselected event and the event which is stored therein. Depressing theTRACKS key at this point in time opens the track manager display. Thetrack manager display adjacent to the F5 and F6 function keys indicatesthe first clip, the new clip, and an indication of the tracks used inthe second clip. Depression of the F6 key selects the second clip as thecandidate clip as a second source. This clip does not replace the firstclip. It also does not ripple events on insert. The command line thenupdates to show both candidate clips and tracks displays to show tracksfor the second clip such as shown in FIG. 31. The desired playbacktracks for the second clip are then set as described above. Conflictsare locked out. Thus, in this example, the new clip could only beselected for audio tracks 1 and 2. Once the desired playback tracks areselected, the function key F1 can be depressed to accept the preset clipassignments and track assignments and closes the tracks manager display.No event insert has taken place. The event window then reappears asshown in FIG. 32. Depressing the function key F8, REPLACE, inserts thecombined event into the event display. The event display does notincrement and the event display and command line are updated. The timeselected for the event is the duration time of the shortest clip.

[0149] A final exemplary transaction involves playing forward to markthe next transition in a sequence. After insertion of a second clip inan event, depressing the F3 function key returns to the event mode.Depressing the GOTO key presets the pair of clips. It is then possibleto play or scan forward to the desired mark out point. The frame keyscan be used to find a mark out frame, for example. After selection ofthe mark out frame, the tracks manager may then be opened by depressingthe F9 function key. When the track manager opens, it is preset to thefirst clip tracks. Depressing the SHIFT F6 function key switches to thesecond clip tracks. Depressing the F4 function key matches marks tocomplete the event. The “match marks” operation matches the out marksfor both of the clips and then the in marks for both of the clips, andremoves any old mark outs. The event display is then incremented by 1.The system then returns to the clip mode and the transaction iscomplete.

[0150] It should be understood that the foregoing transactions aremerely exemplary of the multitude of functions that this non-linearrecording method and technology can provide. These functions aredesigned to provide a simple interface for high-speed field editing onrecording location without any mouse or other graphical user interface.A videographer can perform editing functions at any time, without theneed for transmission to an editing studio. This provides an interactionbetween the videography and editing steps in video production.

[0151] Other functionality may also be provided in such a device. Forexample, given the ability to provide attributes, searching of theseattributes, searching of these attribute fields may provide an easy wayto quickly identify a variety of clips. For example, if an attribute isa numeric value, such as a grating value of a clip on a scale of 1 to10, clips having a value above a given threshold can be retrieved forselection and editing purposes.

[0152] Having now described a few embodiments of the invention, itshould be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing ismerely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way ofexample only. Numerous modifications and other embodiments are withinthe scope of one of ordinary skill in the art and are contemplated asfalling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appendedclaims.

1. A system for capturing video data defining a moving picture,comprising: means for receiving the video data from a source; means forstoring, in real time as the video data is received, the video data as aclip in a computer data file on a non-volatile random-accesscomputer-readable and rewritable medium according to a trigger signalassociated with the source; means for providing for storage of anattribute associated with the clip; and a user interface for allowinguser input of an attribute for storage with the clip, wherein theattribute is value selected by the user from a set of three or moreordered values indicative of an assessment by the user of merit of theclip.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the system stores a plurality ofclips and further includes: means for searching the attributes of theclips according to a desired attribute; and means for displaying anindication of one or more of the clips corresponding to the desiredattribute.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the means for searchingincludes: means for ranking the clips according to the attributes. 4.The system of claim 2, wherein the desired attribute is a thresholdvalue and the means for searching includes: means for identifying clipshaving an attribute that is above the threshold.
 5. The system of claim2, wherein the means for searching includes: means for receiving anindication of a value in the set of ordered values; and means forselecting the clips having the received value as an attribute.
 6. Amethod for capturing video data defining a moving picture, comprising:receiving the video data from a source; storing, in real time as thevideo data is received, the video data as a clip in a computer data fileon a non-volatile random-access computer-readable and rewritable mediumaccording to a trigger signal associated with the source; receiving userinput of an attribute for storage with the clip, wherein the attributeis value selected by the user from a set of three or more ordered valuesindicative of an assessment by the user of merit of the clip; andstoring the received user input as an attribute associated with theclip.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein a plurality of clips are storedand the method further includes: searching the attributes of the clipsaccording to a desired attribute; and displaying an indication of one ormore of the clips corresponding to the desired attribute.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein searching includes: ranking the clips according tothe attributes.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the desired attributeis a threshold value and searching includes: identifying clips having anattribute that is above the threshold.
 10. The method of claim 7,wherein searching includes: receiving an indication of a value in theset of ordered values; and selecting the clips having the received valueas an attribute.
 11. A system for editing a motion picture, comprising:means for storing video data as a plurality of clips in a plurality ofcomputer data files on a non-volatile random-access computer-readableand rewritable medium, wherein at least some of the plurality of clipshave an attribute associated with the clip, wherein the attribute is avalue from a set of three or more ordered values indicative of anassessment of merit of the clip; means for allowing a user to supply adesired attribute; means for selecting one or more clips from theplurality of clips according to the attribute associated with the clipand the desired attribute supplied by user; and means for presenting theselected clips as options to the user for insertion into motion picture.12. The system of claim 11, wherein the means for selecting includes:means for ranking the clips according to the attributes.
 13. The systemof claim 11, wherein the desired attribute is a threshold value and themeans for selecting includes: means for identifying clips having anattribute that is above the threshold value.
 14. The system of claim 11,wherein the desired attribute is a value in the set of ordered valuesand the means for selecting includes: means for selecting the clipshaving the value as an attribute.
 15. A method for editing a motionpicture, comprising: storing video data as a plurality of clips in aplurality of computer data files on a non-volatile random-accesscomputer-readable and rewritable medium, wherein at least some of theplurality of clips have an attribute associated with the clip, whereinthe attribute is a value from a set of three or more ordered valuesindicative of an assessment of merit of the clip; allowing a user tosupply a desired attribute; selecting one or more clips from theplurality of clips according to the attribute associated with the clipand the desired attribute supplied by user; and presenting the selectedclips as options to the user for insertion into motion picture.
 16. Themethod of claim 15, wherein selecting includes: ranking the clipsaccording to the attributes.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein thedesired attribute is a threshold value and selecting includes:identifying clips having an attribute that is above the threshold value.18. The method of claim 15, wherein the desired attribute is a value inthe set of ordered values and selecting includes: selecting the clipshaving the value as an attribute.